Konoha No. 1 training ground.
The sharp blade light flashed in the field, Kakashi was holding a short blade and practicing with his father Hatake Sakumo.
Hatake Sakumo nodded slightly, and lightly used the white fang in his hand to push away Kakashi's blade, and said with a smile: "Your mind is a little confused, you need to focus..."
Kakashi was startled.
And before he could react, the edge of the White Fang was already on his neck, emitting a bone-chilling cold.
"Kakashi, don't worry about the title of genius. Even though you are my son, you have already done quite well." Sakumo said, deftly putting away his sword and gently ruffling Kakashi's hair. "In the shinobi world, there are always some amazing people who can't be simply described as geniuses, such as the First Hokage, Uchiha Madara, and the Second Hokage."
Kakashi raised his head stubbornly and said in a deep voice: "Father, do you think Uchiha Kazuki has a talent comparable to the Second Hokage? Some people in the village have said that his water release seems to be very similar to the second Hokage."
Since Duy became the guardian of Kazuki's home, Guy, who used to insist on challenging Kakashi, had disappeared.
And Obito, who awakened the Sharingan, no longer went to find him, but immersed himself in Uchiha Setsuna's special treatment.
The lone genius, after suddenly losing the harassment of the two tail-ends, actually felt a little uncomfortable in his heart.
After Kazuki showed some strength, the village started talking about the boring but hot topic of 'the first genius' again.
In the dead of night, Kakashi was also thinking, who is stronger between him and Kazuki?
Sometimes he would consider Kazuki's age, but Kakashi always thought that he was the strongest among his peers, and he still thought that as the son of Hatake Sakumo, he was still the strongest among his peers.
So, Kakashi invited Kazuki to compete, and even asked his father to watch the game today.
Kakashi knew that his father had a vision far keener than anyone else, able to discern the inner potential of a shinobi...
Hatake Sakumo stared at his son's eyes and shook his head slowly.
"Kakashi, it doesn't matter whether Uchiha Kazuki is more talented than you or not, but you have to learn to recognize your own heart, not be distracted by external things, and focus on your own practice."
"Practicing ninjutsu and kenjutsu requires a state of concentration. When you are burdened by reputation and the words of others, your sword will become blunt, and your heart will not be at peace. If so, there will be problems in the future."
Sakumo looked at Kakashi's puzzled expression and laughed. "These are teachings that our ancestors in the Hatake clan, when we were still samurai, passed down to us. And although I am your father, I cannot always follow them to the letter either..."
"Come on, Kakashi!"
Just at that moment, Kazuki arrived at the Training Grounds and when he heard Sakumo's words, he couldn't help but have a somewhat strange expression.
Kazuki slowly approached Sakumo and Kakashi, greeting first Kakashi and then Sakumo in a respectful and curious tone.
"Kakashi-kun, Sakumo-san, good morning."
Although Sakumo had a great reputation, Kazuki did not really know his fighting style. But with just one glance, Kazuki could tell that Sakumo was incredibly strong.
His entire being seemed like a hidden sharp sword, inconspicuous to the naked eye, but only because it had not yet emerged from its sheath.
…
"It's him... this little guy, has he grown up to this point?" Tobirama looked at Sakumo with a sincere smile. "When I saw him in the ninja school, I had a hunch that this kid has potential and talent..."
"Now he is also an amazing ninja, very good, he can be regarded as a civilian leader."
Sensing the doubt in Kazuki's mind, Tobirama continued to explain: "The Hatake clan, during the Sengoku Period, established themselves in the shinobi world following the way of the samurai. However, they later fell victim to revenge, and when Konoha was founded, Sakumo was the only survivor."
"It's called the Shinobi Clan, but it's just a name."
Kazuki nodded, understanding the explanation. Not for nothing was Tobirama the creator of the ANBU; his knowledge of the ancient history of the shinobi world was impressive. However, Kazuki asked him: "Tobirama, who asked you? My opinion is that if you didn't assign him a teacher from the Hokage line, your predictions aren't worth much. Sakumo grew up only thanks to his natural talent."
"Haha, the genius that emerged during my reign didn't have my credit? Childish!"
Kazuki shrugged.
...
"Kazuki-kun, for ninjas like us, fighting with most of our peers of similar age is meaningless, and facing older, more experienced shinobi is not always convenient." Kakashi nodded to Kazuki, and when his eyes fell on the Muramasa sword, he paused for a moment before continuing: "So, I want to verify the results of my training with you. Please forgive me for bothering you."
"In this fight, if possible, I would like us to fight with all our power. My father will be present to intervene if any problems arise."
Kazuki nodded slightly. Kakashi had thought of everything, and he was right.
But what Kakashi didn't understand was that for Kazuki, facing him didn't make much sense either.
Kazuki smiled to himself, looking at Kakashi's slightly defiant face. "Since Kakashi-kun has considered it so thoroughly, then I will accept it."
But in reality, what Kazuki wanted was to face the kind man behind Kakashi, Sakumo Hatake.
This man was a Kage-level ninja, the ideal opponent for Kazuki to assess his own power and better understand his level.
After all, Uchiha Madara is paying attention to Kazuki.
If he doesn't understand his own strength, he may be in great trouble one day.
What could that old man possibly be planning? Even Kazuki couldn't foresee it.
'I'll defeat Kakashi first, and if the opportunity arises, I'll try Hatake Sakumo...'
...
Kakashi and Kazuki stood opposite each other.
Sakumo watched Kakashi and Kazuki with his arms crossed his gaze shining with anticipation.
Although he had said that he didn't want Kakashi to feel pressured, as a father, he couldn't help but feel expectations about his son's performance.
"Kazuki, here I come!"
"Come on, Kakashi."
As soon as they finished speaking, Kakashi charged forward, raising his speed to the maximum in a single fluid movement. The short sword in his hand was raised in a defensive stance, and with barely perceptible steps, he quickly approached Kazuki.
'It's a true combination of samurai and ninja: it combines the brute force of a samurai with the speed of a ninja...'
Kazuki thought to himself, as he raised his Muramasa sword. Behind the black membrane in his eyes, the Sharingan began to slowly spin.
Kazuki casually swung his sword to the right.
In the next instant, as if Kakashi had thrown himself directly at him, his short sword accurately collided with the Muramasa sword, producing a metallic clang.
Kakashi's pupils suddenly dilated.
'Was it just a coincidence? There's no way he predicted my position so accurately!'
On the other hand, Sakumo's expression became more serious.
He didn't think it was a coincidence. In a melee combat as demanding as a sword duel, every movement had to be extremely efficient; otherwise, one would lose rhythm, becoming vulnerable and very passive.
Kazuki felt the power coming from the short sword and laughed. "Kakashi, I am a few years older than you, so I have taken some advantage. Please don't mind."
After that, Kazuki firmly pressed the blade of Muramasa against the short sword, and the power continued to increase!
Kakashi immediately felt the difficulty of holding the weapon. Kazuki's strength completely crushed him, and the blade of his short sword seemed to be stuck by a magnet, forcing him to face Kazuki in a duel of strength.
It only took one miscalculation for Kakashi to be at a complete disadvantage, and in the blink of an eye, the situation was tipping towards defeat.
'Uchiha Kazuki's power... is not normal...'
Hatake Sakumo stared at Kazuki's arm. He knew Kakashi's strength. Although he could not compete with him, he was not completely at a disadvantage among the special jonin.
But seeing the current situation, Sakumo even began to wonder who would be stronger, him or Kazuki.
Sweat was pouring down Kakashi's forehead, his arms were feeling increasingly heavy and weak, and he couldn't take his eyes off Muramasa's hypnotic blade.
If he tried to dodge, Muramasa would use the momentum to quickly cut him down...
'If this continues, I will lose my strength, and the competition will be over!'
With determination, Kakashi suddenly relaxed his grip and, taking advantage of the fall of Kazuki's sword, threw a shuriken hidden in his sleeve, aiming directly for Kazuki's throat.
"Good strategy."
Kazuki slightly turned sideways to avoid the shuriken, and Kakashi quickly distanced himself from Kazuki.
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